okay so I changed my mind. Stretch fours look great in the regular season when the game is fun exciting and fast but more then ANYTHING we NEED a LOW POST OPTION. In the playoffs games slow down, defenses tighten, and low post guy who can pass out when doubled goes a long way towards success.

I hope this doesnt go down... Its probably just BC testing the waters of potential Bargnani exchanges. Everyone should already know BC has had a thing for wanting Ilyasova for quite sometime theres news that Nets are heavily pursuing J. Smith.

Why do you guys consider Ilyasova a small forward? With his ability to rebound and shoot, I can easily see him playing 4 on a regular basis, especially in today's NBA of smaller, more mobile front court players. Yes, he doesn't have a well-developed back-to-the-basket game, but what of it?

The Raps are already very close to the luxury tax threshold for next season and this trade would push them into the tax. Not only does that make them a tax team, but it severely limits their options for additional roster moves: no bi-annual exception, significantly reduced MLE, more strict financial trade requirements.

I don't think Boozer is enough of an upgrade to justify making 42% / 46% more money than Bargnani over the next two seasons, especially with the negative impact on roster flexibility moving forward.

With Boozer, we are essentially buying a guy for his past, for a team that's looking towards their future. A guy whose Simple Rating this season (and last), suggests the team is better when he's off, then when he's on. A guy who will make 16.8 million dollars in his final year.

Why do you guys consider Ilyasova a small forward? With his ability to rebound and shoot, I can easily see him playing 4 on a regular basis, especially in today's NBA of smaller, more mobile front court players. Yes, he doesn't have a well-developed back-to-the-basket game, but what of it?

ESPN lists him as a SF. That is why I think.

Yahoo! lists him as a forward and in fantasy ball he is a SF/PF. RotoWorld has him as a forward.

I think "Forward" is appropriate. As you mention the game is getting smaller and more mobile. Ilyasova rebounds like a PF and shoots like a SF. Honestly, I have not seen enough of his defense to make an informed opinion.

For all the love Millsap gets (and I love him too), if you are looking at offensive/defensive ratings:

Player/OffRtg/DefRtg

Millsap/113/104
Ilyasova/113/103

I would be excited about Ilyasova. This is a guy who shoots near 50% on 3's over the last few months. That is Bargnani on steroids.... plus he rebounds so now we have Bargnani on 'roids and HGH.

He is still playing near all-star level when given opportunities away from Howard and is an expiring $19M contract next season when the SUPER luxury tax kicks in.

Nilanka wrote:

Agreed. Gasol would instantly help this team.

A core of Lowry, Gay, and Gasol could threaten 50 wins next year.

Of all the Bargnani rumors, Gasol is the only one I'd consider, because of his skillset and contract. I really don't want Boozer (contract is too big for too long) or Ilyasova (too much of a forward tweener).

One thing I like about Bargnani off the bench is that he can defend either the C or PF spot, allowing the Raps to run out big lineups, traditional lineups or small lineups. I don't think Ilyasova provides the same degree of lineup flexibility.